CHICAGO (Ticker) -- If only the Indiana Pacers' last visit to
the United Center turned out like this.

Mark Jackson scored 13 points to lead a balanced attack as the
Pacers took control in the second quarter and coasted to their
fourth straight win, 91-74 over the slumping Chicago Bulls.

Indiana was playing its first game at the United Center since
dropping a five-point decision to the Bulls in Game Seven of
last season's Eastern Conference finals.

The Pacers closed the first half with a 17-9 surge to open a
49-39 cushion and led by as many as 26 points in the second half
en route to their second win in as many tries over Chicago this
season.

Dale Davis added 12 points for the Pacers, who increased their
lead over second-place Atlanta to 2 1/2 games in the Central
Division. Indiana also pulled within 1 1/2 games of Orlando for
the best record in the East.

"I think every game is like a playoff game for us when you're
trying to get the best record," said Indiana guard Reggie
Miller, who scored 10 points. "I think we're starting to play
better and that's what I'm encouraged about."

Dickey Simpkins and rookie Kornel David had 13 points apiece to
lead Chicago, which lost for the eighth time its last 10 games.
It is one-half game ahead of New Jersey for the worst record in
the Eastern Conference.

The revamped Bulls fell to 6-12 at home after going 115-8 at the
United Center the past three seasons.

Indiana had a 36-32 lead with 4:05 left in the second quarter
when Miller drained a 3-pointer, Sam Perkins hit a running
jumper and Jalen Rose sank an 18-footer to push the edge to
45-32 with 2:41 left before intermission.

Rose scored all of his 10 points in the period, helping the
Pacers build a 49-39 cushion. Perkins also contributed 10
points.

Taking advantage of their front line, the Pacers wasted little
time in putting the game out of reach in the second half.

Davis scored five points and Rik Smits added four of his 10 in a
9-1 burst to start the third quarter that pushed the lead to
58-40 with 9:21 remaining in the period. Indiana led 75-56
heading into the final 12 minutes.

"We feel like our last three games we've been playing real
well," Smits said. "We're finally coming around. It's never
easy."

Indiana took its biggest lead at 85-59 with 7:40 remaining after
Travis Best converted a layup.

The Pacers shot 49 percent (40-of-81), while holding the Bulls
to 38 percent (28-of-73) from the floor.

"It was just a case of us gving up too many points in the
paint," Chicago coach Tim Floyd said. "They did a good job of
surrounding their post-up players with shooters. We struggled
offensively, which is a credit to their defense."

Toni Kukoc added 12 points for Chicago, which lost guard Brent
Barry to a sprained right ankle late in the second quarter. He
did not return.